Impressions - October/November 2020 - 19
The COVID Impact
Vanover says there has been a temporary decline in performancewear
sales across the board, with fewer people going to the gym or playing
sports, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as students
Perhaps one of the most
versatile apparel items
for women, leggings
have become a staple
in wardrobes and are
here to stay.
begin a cautious return to school, sales are expected to increase.
He adds that another challenge posed by the pandemic is a disruption in global supply chains, combined with preexisting tariffs. "If
[the supply chain] continues [to be affected], we may see availability
of certain goods become more scarce," he says.
Conversely, Thompson doesn't think the pandemic will slow
performancewear sales because people will be looking for comfort
at home, as they likely won't be returning to the office or gyms in
the immediate future. Shaman agrees, saying the category will grow
due to both social changes and the attractiveness of the technologies
in the product lines.
Zimmerman says the market actually may become oversaturated,
with fabric, fit and function as important differentiators.
Demographics as Influencing Trends
Leggings: Here to Stay
Perhaps one of the most versatile apparel
items for women, leggings have become a
staple wardrobe item and are here to stay.
Because of their comfort level and versatility, Shaman says, they partially have
replaced denim; many women own both basic
and more fashionable leggings.
Thompson says leggings designs continue
to evolve. "Women look for other design
attributes like mesh cutouts, stitching
and prints to elevate leggings beyond a
basic black [option]."
Zimmerman expects leggings to still be
important in the future, but not growing
at the curremt rate, as women are trading
leggings for bike shorts and fleece bottoms.
"Women will continue to choose leggings,
but now there is more competition for outfit
pairings in the women's market," she says.
There's no question that performancewear is favored across various
demographic categories. However, Vanover says demographics play
a small role in shaping trends. Rather, how the garment is used influences trends.
"The amount of fashion or design is greatly dependent on the
sport," he says. "So, sports like golf, tennis, soccer and cycling are
examples where there is a great deal more emphasis on design. The
overall trend is an increase in design or looks of a garment without
sacrificing anything on the performance side, but some sports are
farther down that path."
Still, points out Johnson, there are a few gender differences; men
prefer a looser fit in garments, and women wear a mix of loose and
fitted. "For example, [women] may wear leggings with loose layers
on top," he says.
Zimmerman says women are gravitating toward matching pieces,
while men tend to dress using more basics. Another gender difference is that women prefer fashion over comfort, while men tend to
prefer the latter.
As far as age is concerned, Zimmerman says performance apparel
is the younger generation's "go-to" style, as they have grown up with
it as a wardrobe mainstay.
Textures, Fabrics & Colors
Emily Quilter, director of design with Augusta Sports Brands, says
texture is key in performancewear, including mesh paneling and
embossing; double-sided fabric constructions; quilting; and cozy,
brushed finishes.
Vanover, however, thinks texture in performancewear is not as important as the perception of performance. In other words: "A garment
must feel like it can perform," he says. "That means there must be
enough weight to it, and [it must be] soft enough that it feels comfortable while also being durable enough to last. This can often be
accomplished in the knitting process or by blending fabrics."
Zimmerman says the current dominant trend is sleeker and more
modern fabrics vs. textured fabrics, though texture has a place when
layering, such as mixing sleek, spandex performance pieces with fleece
pieces and nylon.
Certain technical fabric enhancements have become popular - if
not standard - in many garments, including odor control, moisture
wicking and UV sun protection, which keep the wearer cool and protected. Shaman and Zimmerman say antibacterial/antiviral attributes
also will gain traction.
"Cooling and warming will continue to grow, as well as muscle
recovery and wicking properties," Zimmerman says.
OCT./NOV. 2020
18-21_IMP_1020_Performancewear_Feature.indd 19
P.19
9/16/20 3:21 PM
Impressions - October/November 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - October/November 2020
Impressions - October/November 2020
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
Expo Scene
Going the Distance
Breakdown: A Screen-Printed Transfer on Performancewear
Sustainability’s ‘Fab Five’
Holiday Success Starts Now
Advantages of Supportive Software
Shop Talk
Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Screen Printing Production
Direct-To-Garment
On Design
Ad Index/Classifieds
Impressions - October/November 2020 - CT1
Impressions - October/November 2020 - CT2
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Impressions - October/November 2020
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Cover2
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 1
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 2
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 3
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 4
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 5
Impressions - October/November 2020 - First Impressions
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 7
Impressions - October/November 2020 - From the Show Director
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 9
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Overheard
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 11
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 11A
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 11B
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 12
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 13
Impressions - October/November 2020 - First Look
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 15
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Expo Scene
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 17
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Going the Distance
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 19
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 20
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 21
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Breakdown: A Screen-Printed Transfer on Performancewear
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 23
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Sustainability’s ‘Fab Five’
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 25
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 26
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 27
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Holiday Success Starts Now
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 29
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 30
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 31
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Advantages of Supportive Software
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 33
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 34
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 35
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Shop Talk
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 37
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 39
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 40
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 42
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 43
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 45
Impressions - October/November 2020 - 46
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Ad Index/Classifieds
Impressions - October/November 2020 - On Design
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Cover3
Impressions - October/November 2020 - Cover4
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
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